[Jimbo Slice]

For those of you that have taken REG and have passed, how would you guys recommend studying the simulations? I have the Wiley Test Bank and Becker, but I’m closing in on test day (another week and a half) and would like to make the best use of my time. Should I make the simulations in Wiley a priority over Becker or vice versa?

Also, any other tips on studying for REG in general? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

FAR - 8/30/11 [60] | 11/23/11 [88]
REG - 10/28/11 [84]
BEC - 1/2/12
AUD - 1/21/12

[RalphDoggy]

I didn't really use the Becker simulations at all. I would say really knowing how to do the multiple choice calculations is probably as good as you are going to do (assuming that the sims on the test are on items that are covered in the multiple choice. I got a couple totally out of left field). The Becker sims are much simpler than the test. I would say reading through the questions and answers of the Becker sims will get you just as much benefit as doing the entire things. But really knowing how to do the calculations in the multiple choice questions is the key.

REG - Passed
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

[Anonymous]

I never used Becker materials, but I did use Wiley for mcq's. I agree with ralphdoggy that mcq's are key. I wouldn't worry too much on the simulations, they are more or less glorified mcq's….in my opinion at least! Since it's your last push until test day, I'd do mcq's like crazy (what I did) to familiarize how questions are asked and not to fall into the traps of tricky wording. On areas where you may be having trouble with, I'd do some simulations practice. Good luck!!!!!

[jomarie]

Towards to end of my final review I did practice some sims. When I sat for both Audit and FAR over the summer, I did do better on the sims than MCQs.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[mandy8041]

I just did the Becker MC's. did not even attempt Becker Sims. I thought the Sims on the exam were difficult because I had a few that were random information I had never studied but I still passed.

FAR- 75
REG- 82
BEC- 73, 79!! Its over. Am I dreaming?
AUD- 74, 74, 88

[rgibson3rd]

My sims were out of left field. Use the research tab if you get stuck. I worked some of the Sims in Wiley but there was nothing like it on the exam. I agree with Ralphdog post above…nail the mcq's and you will get through the TBS fine on the exam.

BEC (11/10) 77 (Bisk)
FAR 7/2 - 63 11/5 - 80 (Yeager - Fail, Becker - Pass)
Reg (08/11) - 78 (Yeager)
Aud - 11/29 - 78(Yeager)

[snick722]

I studied Becker and Wiley sims equally, and I felt my sims were NOT harder on the actual exam. Granted, I haven't gotten my score back yet, but I feel confident about it. Not only should you practice both Becker and Wiley sims, but the MCQs will really help as well, some of my sims were straight questions that I only learned from answering MCQs… Also, for the ones I didn't understand, I was able to take great advantage of the authoritative language 🙂

I also recommend looking at cpareviewforfree.com. I had one sim that was related to something I didn't fully understand through Becker or Wiley, but I understood it better from that website.

BEC - 65 (4/10), 83 (8/10)
AUD - 64 (10/10), 73 (2/11), 93 (8/11)
REG - 47 (7/09), 80 (10/11)
FAR - 84 (11/11) Texas. I'm done!!!

[HazeEastwood]

I didn't study SIMs. I just made sure I understood concepts. I am not sure how the SIMs are now but I don't see how you prepare for REG SIMs. They have a lot out of left field.

FAR-81
BEC-84
AUD-91
REG-89

[Zai]

I agree with mandy above. Took REG twice and both times there were sims that I knew how to answer (doesn't mean that answered them right lol) and the sims that I had no idea what they were even asking for. When the failing score came back.. it said that I did better on the sims than mcqs… which came as a shock to me. I used CPA excel and its simulation practice is not that great so i only practiced mcqs. The second time I had Wiley book and they have pretty good simulations but I would recommend doing them only after you feel REALLY confident with mcqs. Sims require a lot of studying time… and unless you have the time to do them all I dont think its the best studying strategy. Because the sims that you pick for studying probably will have nothing to do with the sims you will get on the exam. My plan for the exam was to do mcqs as quickly as possible (i tried to do each testlet in 30 min) this way i have alot of time to concentrate on sims and use the research tab to answer things that i dont know.. It worked 🙂 Good luck 🙂

[ScruffMcGruff]

For people saying to use the Research Tab for the sims on regular/non-research questions: I thought they edit the research bar so it takes out the topics you are working on?

I tried using the research tab a bit on my last FAR exam and I couldn't find anything for my regular sims. On the other hand… When I took my AUD exam back in early July I was able to use it to basically fully answer one sim. Anyhow, maybe I just pulled an epic fail on researching my topics for FAR…

AUD - 85
FAR - 78 (lol@ FAR Sims)
REG - 85
BEC - August

[Anonymous]

There were two out of the 6 tabs (excluding the actual research tab) that I used research. And I do not think they take out the topics as the sims I researched were found relatively easy (seemed as if they wanted me to research).

Becker sims are useless, except for one in Ch 1 and the ones in the final exams. Wiley sims are great, but as mentioned before, make sure you have the mcq's down. The Sims really test how well you know a topic. Try and answering the multiple choice without looking at any answers.

[NYCPA34]

Don't worry about studying for the simulations, there is no way to study for them since they can be on anything. Just focus on the MCQ's. I would really advise focusing on taxation topics.

Good luck!

FAR - 07/08/11 - 86 (Becker Fast Pass)
REG - 07/27/11 - 91 (Becker Fast Pass & Ninja Notes)
AUD - 08/13/11 - 93 (Becker Fast Pass)
BEC - 08/31/11 - 90 (Becker Fast Pass)

[Anonymous]

I concur with HazeEastwood and NYCPA34. You may want to practice a couple just to get familiar with the layout (don't even have to worry about getting them right necessarily, but just get comfortable with what the SIMS might look like and how the different buttons work).

[Anonymous]

I did all of the REG simulations twice. None of the ones I saw on the actual test were anywhere near the Becker ones but it was still worth it to test strengths/weaknesses.

[Author]

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